As the days shorten and autumn color fades, our focus shifts to winter preparation. In Leitrim, winter wet is often a bigger challenge than cold. Saturated soil in pots can freeze, causing root rot or splitting container walls.
To protect our stock, we move vulnerable young potted plants into unheated tunnels. We raise larger pots off the ground on wooden slats to ensure drainage holes stay clear. We apply a thick layer of bark mulch to our outdoor display beds to insulate plant roots. It is quiet, grounding work that marks the transition into the sleeping season.